Socioeconomic inequalities in the incidence, mortality and prognosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage: the FINMONICA Stroke Register.

Low socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with increased mortality from stroke, but usually no distinction is made between stroke subtypes. We analyzed the relationship of SES with mortality and morbidity of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In the FINMONICA Stroke Register, 956 consecutive SAH events were recorded during 1983-1992 in patients aged 25-74 years. We used taxable income stratified into three categories, low, middle, and high, as an indicator of SES. The age-standardized incidence of SAH among men and women aged 25-44 years was approximately three times higher in the low-income group than in the high-income group. In older individuals, differences between the income groups were less pronounced. Among survivors of the acute stage, a poorer prognosis was observed in patients with low income than in those with high income. In conclusion, there is a clear excess mortality and morbidity of SAH in young individuals with low income, particularly among men.